Across the country, 256 historic places have been added to the National Heritage List for England in 2024, with 17 new historic places added by Historic England.
Among these newly recognised treasures is the pioneering former maternity ward at Huddersfield's Princess Royal Community Hospital. Designed in a ‘bungalow style’ with a focus on infection control, it transformed the experience new mothers from the late 1920s onward, and was a pivotal moment in the development of public healthcare for women.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said: "From rare 17th-century chest tombs to a post-war church above the shops to a revolutionary former maternity ward benefiting new mothers, these remarkable places granted protection in 2024 show the diversity of England's heritage."
Other highlights include a striking Brutalist church perched above Broadmead shopping centre in central Bristol, and three exceptionally rare 17th-century chest tombs in Church of St Clements, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. One honours a woman reputed to have lived to 119 years, while another commemorates Mary Haddock, whose seafaring son inspired the iconic Captain Haddock of The Adventures of Tintin.
Other notable countryside sites include Browndown First World War Practice Trenches in Gosport, Hampshire and Toddington Fingerpost in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Heritage Minister, said: "Historic England's annual listing roundup is a celebration of 12 months of hard work to protect and preserve some truly unique buildings and places that have helped shape our cultural history.
"Like all 'best of' year lists worth reading, I implore you to pour over these 17 wonderful places and go and experience some of them for yourself in the new year."
Historic England is now calling on the public to help uncover the lost stories of these unusual places as part of the Missing Pieces Project by contributing photos and stories of the unique locations on the National Heritage List for England (known as "the List"). This register highlights all nationally protected historic buildings and sites across the country, and your input can help bring these stories to life.
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